(Los Angeles, California – April 26, 2012) Los Angeles Airport Police participated in the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay beginning in Baker, California, and finishing in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 21 and 22, 2012. The relay is a 120-mile, 20-stage foot race among law enforcement officers from all over the world. The annual event began in 1985 with 19 teams to encourage police officers to improve their physical fitness. The competition among numerous law enforcement agencies has now grown with departments from across the country, as well as international teams from Canada, Wales and Australia.

Airport Police entered this year’s competition in the “Mixed” category with a team consisting of five women and 15 men. This is the first year Airport Police Security Officer’s participated in the relay race. Airport Police placed ninth out of 50 teams in the “Mixed” category with a finishing time of 17 hours, 1 minute, 57 seconds. The team’s finishing time was less than last year’s time, incurring no penalties or injuries, while running in temperatures of over 100 degrees.

The team won a ceremonial mug, which has been a long-time goal of the dedicated Airport Police teams that participated during the past seven years. Overall, this year’s Airport Police team placed 81st out of a total 270 teams in the competition.

Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Michael Hyams said, “I am exceptionally proud of the teamwork, persistence and determination demonstrated by the members of our organization in achieving success in this race under very adverse conditions.”

Los Angeles Airport Police is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel. Los Angeles Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California: LAX, LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (general aviation).